AN: That wasn't the last chapter… I wouldn't do that to you guys… ;)
Scene: Backstage, an hour before the play opens
Otto: OK, you know the plan, right? I'll go over and give Trent this… once he drinks it, he'll be asleep for the whole play… Twist, you know Romeo's lines, right?
Twister: Yes.. but…
Sam: For the record, I don't approve of this…
Sherry: Me neither. Like, drugging someone?
Otto (patiently): We're not DRUGGING him.. the sleeping pill is perfectly harmless… he'll be fine, and I'm sure he values his beauty sleep (grins wickedly)
Cleo: He's been making me sick, the way he's been following Reg around all day… it's like he sees her as his personal challenge or something..
Otto: We're not doing this for Twister… it's for Reggie…
Twister: No…
Otto: No?
Twister: No… we weren't doing it for Reg… you were all doing this for me. And I'm saying no…
Otto: What're you talking about, Maurice… you're not going all Squid on me, are you?
Twister (softly): I don't want you to do this…
Sherry: Say what??
Twister: I'm calling off the plan…
Cleo: Cuz.. are you sure? You've been all about the plan for the past couple of days… you even "lent" Otto your new game to bribe him!
Otto: Yeah… don't tell me you WANT that dweeb kissing my sister?
Twister (turning green): No… the thought makes me sick… but I'm still saying no…
Sam (softly): Why?
Twister: Because… Reggie deserves a man whose mature enough to trust her… and not break up with her because some guy is hitting on her…
Sherry: Are you, like, giving up?
Twister: If I'm ever going to get another chance with Reg, I need to man up. She deserves someone whose mature enough to trust her…
Otto (softly): You sure about this, bro?
Twister (smiling slightly): Reggie's a beautiful girl… smart… talented… cool… kind… there's always going to be guys hitting on her. If she does give me another chance, I'm going to have to learn to deal… otherwise we'd break up again within a week… and I don't want that… I want her for keeps.
Otto (slightly uncomfortable): You… want her… for keeps?
Twister (simply): I love her, man. And I want to be with her, forever. YOU know what that's like (he glances over at Cleo, who blushes)
Otto: Well, man, I still think you're crazy… but I've got to give it to you… you ALMOST deserve her (he holds out his fingers for a woogie)
Sam: I think you're doing the right thing…
Sherry (patting him on the back): Good luck… (Otto, Sam and Sherry leave to find their places in the audience)
Cleo (quietly): She was right…
Twister (wryly): What about…
Cleo: When she said that if you really cared, you'd find a way to show that you'll never do what you did again…
Twister: This isn't to prove anything to her… it's just what I've got to do… I've been avoiding facing up to a lot of things, cuz…
Cleo: For what it's worth, you proved it to me… and Otto too… I don't think he's ever said that anyone ALMOST deserves her…
Twister: Well… let's just hope I get the chance to prove it to her too… (he gives his cousin a quick hug, as Reggie appears)
Cleo: I've got to go… get my makeup done…
Reggie (smiling slightly): I guess she gets her lessons in subtlety from my brother…
Twister: Huh?
Reggie: Never mind… (fingers the ring that she's wearing around her neck) Care to explain what this is about?
Twister: I love you Reg… I never stopped, even when I was mad at you… and I probably never will, even if you refuse to speak to me again.
Reggie (sadly): How do I know you won't come and find me after the play, tell me you want it back, and that you could never love someone like me?
Twister (seriously): I guess I'm the one whose going to have to earn your trust…
Reggie (smiling wryly): I guess so…
Twister: Reg… I don't expect anything from you right now. I know I was already lucky enough to get one chance with you the last time around… but I just needed you to know that even if we never talk again, I love you, and I want you to have that ring.
Reggie: You… do? Even if I choose Trent?
Twister: I'd never want it to go to anyone else… because I'll never love anyone like this again…
Reggie (tears glistening in her eyes): You… mean that, Twist?
Twister (lightly brushing her tears with his thumb): Of course I do… Reg?
Reggie: Yeah…
Twister: You make a beautiful Juliet… (he looks her straight in the eye, and she sees his sincerity. She's about to say something, when Trent appears)
Trent: We're going on soon, Juliet… Rodriguez… any reason why you're here?
Twister (smiling through clenched teeth): Yeah… just wanted to say… break a leg, Trent.
Trent (equally forced smile): Thanks… I guess. (he turns towards Reggie with a handsome smile) Shall we, my fair Juliet?
Reggie (shooting an apologetic glance at Twister): I guess I have to go… I'll see you later Twist.
AN: I'll probably have another chapter or two before wrapping it up! Thanks for the reviews, guys!